Supercharging my '05 325 ci Stetronic??

Guys,


As you read, i have an 05 325 ci and i am sewrisouly thinkin gof using my hard earned $$$$ on buying a SC. Realistically seaing is this a good investment on this car model or a waste of time?? If it is worth it could you guys give me any suggestions. I am looking at spending under $5k.

learn how to spell first.......jk, haha but if you have a step trany you will have to run really low boost to keep the tranny from going kaput

why didnt u get at least 330 ? i think its not worth it for 325

go for it if you have the money !!! If it's not M56 motor, DO IT get ESS stg. 1 for steptronics. It has 6.5 psi boost (safe for stock internals)

Originally Posted by flush01

why didnt u get at least 330 ? i think its not worth it for 325

I think it's worth it...it'll bump it up to around 330's stock (if not more?), which isn't all to bad.

Why does everyone always say this? If this were true, would BMW put the step tranny in the new 335 with 300ft-lbs of torque? Doubt it.

it IS true...the 335i is a different story...has different type of step I believe...anyway, the E46 type of step cannot handle that much power...u'll blow it =D

Originally Posted by bimmerbum46

learn how to spell first.......jk, haha but if you have a step trany you will have to run really low boost to keep the tranny from going kaput

Why does everyone always say this? If this were true, would BMW put the step tranny in the new 335 with 300ft-lbs of torque? Doubt it.

would the supercharge affect the cars fuel economy?

Originally Posted by mfanatic325

I think it's worth it...it'll bump it up to around 330's stock (if not more?), which isn't all to bad.

It will get you past 225bhp if you supercharge a 325...more like 280 at 6.5psi...and the AA SC at 8psi (many on here have run this with a step for years) will bring it up to 310bhp.

Originally Posted by jonski

would the supercharge affect the cars fuel economy?

ur joking me right?

Originally Posted by jonski

would the supercharge affect the cars fuel economy?

lol...yes...it will affect fuel economy quite a bit. It will go DOWN TOWN! but it sure would turn your frown upside down

alright i gotta a ? i have a 330Ci coupe step tranny and also have like intake, full exhaust, headers should i run a s/c on mine, like 8 psi is fine rite? or is this dangerous for my tranny

i don't think it's worth it. u should have got a low mileage 2001-2003 330ci manual if u want performance. 325's are just for aesthetics, and maybe some sound, like and intake and exhaust, but they aren't worth the trouble for S/C and all that. Unless you really have a strong desire in your heart to do so, don't do it.

Originally Posted by 330cibimmer

alright i gotta a ? i have a 330Ci coupe step tranny and also have like intake, full exhaust, headers should i run a s/c on mine, like 8 psi is fine rite? or is this dangerous for my tranny

well i've read that the 325 w/ supercharger is right on the limit for the step tranny's limits, so i think the 330 would be a little too much for the tranny to handle

Let's see, where to start...

Originally Posted by inzideurhead

sewrisouly

1.) On a 325 step you'll be fine with an SC, there's guys that have them on 330's and several kits for the 3.0L require less boost. Since you're starting of with lower power levels but the same tranny I don't think you have anything to fear.

2.) $5K? Good luck. I think VF Engineering is the lowest cost alternative and you may be able to pick one up for something in the $5K park. Contact JLeviSW if you're interested.

3.) Good investment/worth, completely subjective.

4.) Let's not compare the step tranny in the 335i to the one in the E46. Different generation car, different transmission.

5.) Fuel economy does not go down drastically. Please all a compressor does is force more air into the engine, it's the larger injectors dumping more fuel into the cylinders, and the heavy foot you develop that contributes to the decreased mileage. It's not like the car gets Hummer H1 gas mileage now. I don't know about a 325 step, but a 330 5 - Speed will still see about 20 MPG in stop and go city driving even with a heavy foot.

6.) 330cibimmer: I think you would really be stressing your transmission with those kinds of mods AND a supercharger... proceed with caution. I'd suggest that you speak to MANY different supercharger kit manufactures and see what they say. Don't focus in on only one company as perhaps they'd be willing to sell you a kit even if it isn't the best idea for keeping your transmission in one piece. Technik, ESS, AA, VF-E should all be contacted IMO and consolidate their responses.

Originally Posted by silvermachina

Why does everyone always say this? If this were true, would BMW put the step tranny in the new 335 with 300ft-lbs of torque? Doubt it.

Because there are a few members here who tried pushing alot of power with their Step trannies and busted them. 335s have new transmissions that can handle the power, and also shift much faster than the ones they use for the e46. There's talk amongst the e90/e92 crowd about chipping the turbos to 400HP, but no has determined if the new tranny can handle that much.

Yea, but the thing i thougt about like if i did blow up something, it would be the transmission rite, like the s/c couldnt get screwed over or exhaust or anything, cuz if i **** up my step, then i can get a manual

Originally Posted by 330cibimmer

alright i gotta a ? i have a 330Ci coupe step tranny and also have like intake, full exhaust, headers should i run a s/c on mine, like 8 psi is fine rite? or is this dangerous for my tranny

The guys who busted their trannies tried pushing too much power through. If I recall correctly, they were running 6.5psi AND cams and/or headers. Your intake will get replaced by the S/C unit, and you could probably keep the headers, but you'd have to turn down the boost on the S/C. Up to about 310HP, the e46 automatic tranny has had no problems. Going beyond that, is where things get iffy.

Originally Posted by Shinobi

Because there are a few members here who tried pushing alot of power with their Step trannies and busted them. 335s have new transmissions that can handle the power, and also shift much faster than the ones they use for the e46. There's talk amongst the e90/e92 crowd about chipping the turbos to 400HP, but no has determined if the new tranny can handle that much.

I see, I see.

Originally Posted by 330cibimmer

Yea, but the thing i thougt about like if i did blow up something, it would be the transmission rite, like the s/c couldnt get screwed over or exhaust or anything, cuz if i **** up my step, then i can get a manual

You are correct, the tranny could become trashed. Now if you don't see that as a big deal and would simply do a manual swap should that happen, then I suggest doing the tranny swap now. You may be able to sell your step tranny and recoup some costs, if the thing blows up then you just pissed away money you could have used for something else.

Ok, thats a much better way to look at it, but yea i only have headers exhaust and intake, so if i get like a 7 psi s/c , which i think im goin to get from ess, that runs 325 and reduced to 7 psi from 8 psi to be compatible with automatic, which is 6775 i believe, so if anybody hears about a deal, please let me know. thanx for the info

so yea if i daily drive with low boost like 4 or 5 im fine, and then i just turn it up for track use or wutever, to like 7 sometimes, i should be fine rite?